Most nightclubbers binge on cheap supermarket alcohol before they leave home, a new study suggests. The findings could cast doubt on the effectiveness of legislation introduced this week banning happy hours and drinks promotions in pubs and clubs.
The survey, by academics at Glasgow Caledonian University, found that almost all had “front loaded” on cut-price alcohol before they went out.
The research, published in the current issue of the Journal of Substance Use, casts doubt on whether the government’s ban on happy hours in pubs and clubs will cut heavy drinking.
It shows that, on average, men drank more than seven units of alcohol prior to heading to a club, a third of the safe weekly limit of 21 units recommended by the government. Women drank an average of more than six units, just under half the weekly recommended limit of 14 units per week.
Only one of the 20 people interviewed for the study had not binged on cheap alcohol before arriving at the nightclub. Eleven consumed more alcohol before they arrived at the nightclub than when inside. One of the men interviewed by researchers had consumed the full weekly quota before he arrived at the club.
Advertisement
Most of the Glasgow nightclub-goers interviewed for the study said the cost of alcohol in nightclubs was the main reason they binged beforehand.
“If you bought something with your pals first and drink it and then go in, it will save you money when you get there,” one of the female nightclubbers told researchers.
While new licensing regulations introduced last week ban happy hours, they stop short of stipulating a minimum price for alcohol.
However, the measure, which is expected to set a minimum price of 40p per unit of alcohol, is included in an alcohol bill which is expected to be passed by the Scottish parliament next year.
Experts fear that the ban on happy hours may make the problem of front-loading worse without action against deep discounting by off-licences and supermarkets.
Advertisement
Dr Peter Rice, a government adviser on alcohol treatment, said that without minimum alcohol pricing, the ban on happy hours was unlikely to reduce abuse and anti-social behaviour.
Patrick Browne, the chief executive of the Scottish Beer and Pubs Association, said: “There is an issue with front-loading and the new act will probably exacerbate that. Ever since this legislation was introduced in 2005 we pointed out that the promotion restrictions largely targeted pubs and clubs and did not address the off-sales sector.”
The Scottish government said: “The government is well aware of the issue of front-loading and it is something that will be addressed in the alcohol bill.”
Drunk and disorderly, Focus, page 15